Delco fans join the globe in celebrating Germany's World Cup victory

German soccer fans react after the deciding goal for Germany in the final of the Brazil World Cup 2014 between Germany and Argentina played in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at a public viewing area called 'Fan Mile' in Berlin, Sunday, July 13, 2014. Germay won by 1-0. (AP Photo/Steffi Loos)

HAVERFORD — More than a billion people across the globe had their focuses set on the World Cup Final match between Germany and Argentina.

Although only hosting a very small fraction of those people, the Oakmont National Pub on Eagle Road and the Crossbar along East Darby Road had fans of varying interests and allegiances come out to watch what would eventually be Germany’s 1-0 win and fourth world championship.

Sundays are usually more quiet, Oakmont National Pub general manager Brendan Goggin said. But the World Cup was a different circumstance, maybe not drawing the type of crowd it would have had it been a U.S. game, but still a good one at that.

“It’s the biggest game every four years,” Dan Martin of Havertown said. “You might as well make it out.”

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“It’s great to watch with a crowd,” said Dan Solderitsch, also of Havertown. “High-fiving strangers, that’s why I’m here.”

Solderitsch, disappointed over the U.S. team’s elimination earlier on, was pulling for Argentina on Sunday, mainly out of support for one of the game’s biggest stars in Lionel Messi.

There was another fan of Argentina at the pub, as well, donning the easily recognizable blue and white striped jersey. Andrew Smith of Havertown, who was with his wife, Maureen, remembered watching his first World Cup in 1986, when Argentina won its second World Cup in eight years.

They had Diego Maradona, who at the time was the best player in the world. Smith liked the jerseys, too, and with those factors combined, made Argentina a favorite team for him, at least when the U.S. is out of contention.

As for who was going to win on Sunday, that question was full of mixed opinions.

Solderitsch and Smith were rooting for Argentina and they weren’t alone with the support. But there was no shortage of people who pictured Germany coming out on top.

“I haven’t been following it (the tournament) since the U.S. got knocked out,” Tim McDermott of Havertown said. He thought Germany would run away with it, the 7-1 blowout over Brazil in the semifinals playing a factor in that thought process.

At the bar, Knight was joined by friend and Havertown native Mike McCave and his son, Patrick, along with another friend in Greg Collins.

The group has been getting more and more exposed to the sport ever since the 13-year-old Patrick began playing for the Haverford Soccer Club, citing a trip to Italy for the 2012 UEFA European Championship as one of the examples.

“To experience it from their perspective, it just makes you a bigger fan,” Mike McCave said.

Greg Cox, who co-owns the Crossbar with his brother, Brendan, was happy with the results the World Cup brought to the bar.

“It’s been very good to us,” Cox said. “The whole month we doubled our attendance.”

No stranger to the game, having been around it his whole life and playing at Providence College, Cox was there on Sunday wearing Germany’s jersey.

And when Mario Gotze put in the game-winner in the 113th minute, he and a majority of everyone else in the bar let out one big cheer.